The Dummy Security Camera - Effective Or Useless?

A home security camera system can serve two purposes, either deter a theft, of help catch a perpetrator after he commits a crime.

A dummy security camera, serves the first perfect very well, but only in some instances, and at a fraction of the cost. As the name suggests, a dummy security camera is simply a replica or imitation of a real one. Much like a scarecrow is used to scare off birds, this camera is used to scare off criminals. The theory being that the potential criminal sees the camera, and leaves to find a less secure place to hit. It's great in theory.

But be warned, some dummy cameras could only fool a dummy. They just don't look real. Others look great, more realistic and believable, but of course these will cost more. The question becomes is a dummy security even worth it. The answer depends largely on your purpose for purchasing, and the kind of criminal activity you are trying to deter.

It is highly unlikely that a dummy security camera will ever turn away what would be considered a serious criminal, those who make their living by taking from others. If your valuables are truly valuable, if you own a large business or live in an area where people know your home and possessions are worth a lot of money, this is not the way to risk your security. It's just not worth it. You may have the best looking dummy security camera made, but you will not fool someone who makes his living by getting around the real thing. If you are wealthy really need a security camera to protect your assets, do not fool yourself into thinking a dummy system will work as well as the real thing.

A dummy security camera will also be of no use against a more brazen criminal. No security camera will deter these thiefs, even a real system. Those needing your possessions to purchase drugs comes to mind first. Graffitti artists and other vandals also tend to fall into this catagory. Their crimes are often done out of defiance, and they are not going to let a security camera, real or otherwise, stop them. They are sometimes so brash that they even sign their work. If they don't however and you have a dummy security camera, you obviously have no way of identifying them like you would with a real security camera.

So when is a dummy security camera good? Well perhaps you own a modest home or a small business, and your goal is to stop a small time criminal from breaking in and stealing your valuables. In this case a dummy camera will probably help. But you are only going to deter a small, indicental theft and nothing more. And you'll have no evidence if they actually go through with the crime. If you want to stop a preplanned theft, a real security camera system is clearly your best bet.